Articles
Resurrection Nonsense - Luke 24
Resurrection Nonsense - Luke 24
Now they were Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary the mother of James; also the other women with them were telling these things to the apostles. But these words appeared to them as nonsense, and they would not believe them. But Peter got up and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he *saw the linen wrappings only; and he went away to his home, marveling at what had happened." (Luke 24:10-12).
Jesus had told the apostles multiple times that he would die and rise again. Jesus based this firmly upon the scriptures that the apostles had known from their youth. Jesus had even given a foretaste of such by raising up some who had died. Yet when it happened, they stumbled over it.
Dead people don't rise! Jesus is dead. End of discussion. Really? So the "debate" continues. However today the response is different. While thinking 'it was nonsense', Peter ran to the tomb to double-check the facts. He thus went away marveling at what had happened. Today, people dismiss the testimony of the resurrection as nonsense and then go about their lives.
The preaching of the death and resurrection is still abruptly dismissed as nonsense. People still begin with their experiences instead of with God. The moment one puts God in the equation; the resurrection becomes not only possible but certain. God promised to do so (study Luke 24:44-46), Jesus promised to do so. It was witnessed and testified that He did rise.
Yet, people never get past the verse 11 concept: "these words appeared unto them as nonsense, and they WOULD not believe them." Never forget that the resurrection of Jesus changes everything. There is a God. Jesus is the Son of God, declared so with power by the resurrection (Rom. 1:4). Jesus' teaching is authoritative and the standard by which we will be judged.
Nonsense or truth to live by - which is it?
Hugh DeLong
